Amazon ‘sacks dozens of staff’ on drone delivery programme November 19, 2020 Amazon has reportedly laid off dozens of employees working on its drone delivery programme as it looks to third-party firms to help kickstart its eagerly-awaited project. Staff in research and development and manufacturing have been made redundant after Amazon reached preliminary deals with two external companies to build component parts of its drones. Final terms [...]
UK tech visa applications jump as sector attracts top talent November 19, 2020 Applications to the Tech Nation visa rose almost 50 per cent this year as Britain’s booming tech sector continues to attract top talent from around the globe. The number of applications for the visa, which grants employees and founders in the tech sector the right to work in the UK for up to five years, [...]
Regulator issues warning on fintech Lanistar for unauthorised services November 18, 2020 Update: 9:07pm Friday 20/11: The FCA have withdrawn their warning after changes by Lanistar. The Financial Conduct Authority has accused the much-hyped fintech Lanistar of offering unauthorised financial services. Founded by Gurhan Kiziloz, Lanistar this week launched an influencer campaign claiming to be the “world’s most secure card”. But the regulator today has warned that [...]
Apple cuts App Store commission following developer backlash November 18, 2020 Apple is slashing the commission it takes from some purchases made through the App Store following widespread criticism of the charges. The tech giant takes a 30 per cent cut of most app and virtual goods sales, though this drops to 15 per cent for subscriptions that remain active for more than a year. But [...]
Ericsson boss backs rival Huawei after Swedish 5G ban November 18, 2020 The chief executive of Ericsson has come out in support of arch-rival Huawei after Sweden blocked the Chinese firm from building its 5G networks. Earlier this month Swedish regulators blocked 5G spectrum auctions after a court suspended part of its decision to ban Huawei over national security fears. But in a surprise move, Ericsson boss [...]
Levelling up: Sony takes over Oxford Circus station for Playstation launch November 18, 2020 London Underground is famed for its iconic roundels, but eagle-eyed commuters will notice something different about Oxford Circus station this week. Transport for London (TfL) has teamed up with Sony to give the Tube station a redesign, transforming the traditional signs into squares, triangles and crosses — the classic symbols of the Playstation controller. The [...]
Micro Focus shares jump as software firm issues upbeat update November 18, 2020 Shares in Micro Focus surged to their highest level since July this morning after the software firm said its full-year earnings margin would come in at the top end of expectations. The London-listed company, which helps customers maintain and update legacy IT systems, swung to a $1bn (£752m) loss in the first half due to [...]
It is science, not lockdowns, that will save the world November 18, 2020 The various new vaccines announced over the past two weeks give real hope of a return to normal life. Of course, many practical questions remain. How will these vaccines be delivered? Do they stop the transmission or simply the symptoms of the virus? Exactly how effective will they be outside a controlled trial environment? But [...]
European tech industry calls for delay to new regulation November 18, 2020 A group representing Europe’s thriving tech industry has called for a moratorium on looming new regulation until a review has been carried out into the impact of the changes. The EU will next month table new laws designed to prevent tech companies from unfairly promoting their own products and services and holding firms more accountable [...]
Mudge: Why has Twitter just hired a world-famous hacker? November 17, 2020 Twitter may have been awash with excitement about its new disappearing Fleets service, but behind the scenes there were other clandestine matters underway today. The social media platform said it had hired Mudge, one of the world’s best-regarded hackers, to the new position of head of security. The appointment comes at a crucial time for [...]